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I've had two 911s with PPF on the front, hood and mirrors, but my next car will not have PPF. If the PPF becomes damaged an unsightly silver shard develops that cannot easily be removed. Plus any exposed edges can get dirty and the PPF will lift in crevices, such as around the Porsche shield, resulting in a cloudy appearance in those areas.
I don't think "soft" paint is the issue here. Instead, the more environment-friendly paint being used today is simply not "tough" and therefore tends to chip easily.
So, if after a few years you develop rock chips on the front bumper sans PPF, you can respray it for the cost of PPF and have money left over.
Plus any exposed edges can get dirty and the PPF will lift in crevices, such as around the Porsche shield, resulting in a cloudy appearance in those areas.
This really should not be an issue with quality film and a quality installer.
I've had two 911s with PPF on the front, hood and mirrors, but my next car will not have PPF. If the PPF becomes damaged an unsightly silver shard develops that cannot easily be removed. Plus any exposed edges can get dirty and the PPF will lift in crevices, such as around the Porsche shield, resulting in a cloudy appearance in those areas.
I don't think "soft" paint is the issue here. Instead, the more environment-friendly paint being used today is simply not "tough" and therefore tends to chip easily.
So, if after a few years you develop rock chips on the front bumper sans PPF, you can respray it for the cost of PPF and have money left over.
Jason
Not my experience at all, so to each his own. I have had the BEST EXPERIENCE with the 2 cars I've PPF's so far. 6 years later, the PPF on my 2012 Turbo S still looked new except for the part on the very bottom of the splitter which scraped a few times on parking curbs. Still, overall, an amazing product that I will do on any new, luxury cars I get. I wouldn't do it on a Honda Pilot but on a new Porsche? Heck yes. I didn't have even 1 stone chip anywhere after 6 years, and it wasn't even a great PPF. It was done at the Ferrari dealer I got the 911 from in Scottsdale AZ, just the front 1/3 of the car.
I bought a used 997 C4S a couple years ago and no one had done PPF. On a Midnight Blue it had multiple chips on the hood and I couldn't believe someone had not protected it.
I think that's the whole key to PPF - you are protecting it for the next person. Cause last I checked, rarely does someone pull their PPF and replace it - they drive around with their PPF all beat up.
For me, I don't care too much about the next person who is going to driving my old car
I've had two 911s with PPF on the front, hood and mirrors, but my next car will not have PPF. If the PPF becomes damaged an unsightly silver shard develops that cannot easily be removed. Plus any exposed edges can get dirty and the PPF will lift in crevices, such as around the Porsche shield, resulting in a cloudy appearance in those areas.
Jason
I can’t speak to what all installers will do, but mine will replace the film as often as required by the customer. No charge. Case in point…I’ve had my car about 6 months, and in the first few months after I took delivery, I got a couple of rocks kicked back, causing a few blemishes on the front bumper. I’m taking it in next week to have that section of the PPF removed and new section re-installed. Hopefully, the PPF was not penetrated, but won’t know until it’s replaced.
But, without the PPF, and the installer willing to replace, no questions asked….I would have had to live with those rock chips on my new car.
Last edited by CodyBigdog; Nov 18, 2021 at 12:06 PM.
Here is a question for everyone. My current black car has xpel stealth. Love it, but it has tons of smudged areas that never appear clean.
My 992 I ordered is Chalk. I want to keep it as shiny as possible. I plan on keeping this car. Does anyone have thoughts on keeping that extreme gloss shine with and without PPF? I was planning on doing Xpel PPF with Xpel Ceramic Coating .
Here is a question for everyone. My current black car has xpel stealth. Love it, but it has tons of smudged areas that never appear clean.
My 992 I ordered is Chalk. I want to keep it as shiny as possible. I plan on keeping this car. Does anyone have thoughts on keeping that extreme gloss shine with and without PPF? I was planning on doing Xpel PPF with Xpel Ceramic Coating .
Those smudges will be less visible on Chalk.
For those considering PPF, it's important to understand that PPF will show wear and tear. It's protecting the paint underneath, but the PPF will show road rash and weathering with the elements.
Those smudges will be less visible on Chalk.
For those considering PPF, it's important to understand that PPF will show wear and tear. It's protecting the paint underneath, but the PPF will show road rash and weathering with the elements.
What is best way to keep that shiny glossy finish if not ppf with ceramic on top?
I'm leaning towards not putting on PPF. This will be a summer car for me and will have very low mileage. I live 5 minutes from work and my daily driver has only put on 7500 km in 1.5 years of ownership. I've read that PPF needs to be removed after 5 years. However, I hear the rear flanks take quite a beating, so I'm thinking of installing the black rock guards instead.
What is best way to keep that shiny glossy finish if not ppf with ceramic on top?
Hand wash your car. Mine is ceramic coated to make the job easier. This is my 2020 992 C4S with 30k miles — driven all year round, backroad romps and road trip adventures. No paint swirls or blemishes. I have a handful of chips, but no great shakes.
I'm leaning towards not putting on PPF. This will be a summer car for me and will have very low mileage. I live 5 minutes from work and my daily driver has only put on 7500 km in 1.5 years of ownership. I've read that PPF needs to be removed after 5 years. However, I hear the rear flanks take quite a beating, so I'm thinking of installing the black rock guards instead.
The road rash on the black will be more visible than the clear.
I've read that PPF needs to be removed after 5 years.
FWIW, I have Xpel on my 2014 M5 and it looks pretty much as good as when it went on and definitely does not need to be replaced. I imagine the current Xpel products are even better. YMMV, but I think it is all about the quality of the film and the skill of the installer.
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